i am hiv positive (and no i can't transmit it) // coming out

Hey everyone! Short and sweet, my name is Diana and I was born with HIV.
I just turned 25, was born and raised in California, and have been living in Germany for a while now.

This is just my 'coming out' video, and the first of many where I will talk about what it was like growing up with HIV. My goal is to stop the stigma around HIV by sharing my story, my experiences, and by educating HIV negative people in a fun way. I also want to share my tips and tricks of what I've learned like the big one being, how to tell someone. If I can just help one person, then I feel like I've done my job :)

I want to have fun doing this so please send me any cool ideas! I'm open to it all.

Hope you can join for the journey ;D !

Just wanted to send a major shout out to all my friends, family, and doctors for their continuous support, love, and motivation. Without you I wouldn't be where I am today. Thanks again for the endless support :)

[rameshjagaswaren]

Just found out I'm HIV negative today after doing confirmatory test...One month ago I was initially misdiagnosed being positive at another healthcare provider. I genuinely understand the mental agony of it and I truly salute people who are living and staying positive with HIV...God bless.

[SpiritDonkey]

Please don’t shame people that aren’t comfortable dating someone who has HIV/AIDS. In this world, we have one life to live and there is NO CURE for this disease. It is still a serious illness and an expensive illness to manage.

[Clayman]

My wife is HIV positive and has been for over 30 years. Also from California. She has been undetectable for over 20 years. I am HIV negative. Her HIV status doesn’t bother me in the least. Unfortunately she doesn’t share your positivity toward having HIV. It still depresses her even though I try to explain to her that it doesn’t change who she is. The stigma of HIV is worse than the virus in my opinion. I’m so happy that you are able to show the positive attitude, as you should!! I wish my wife was able to make the same video. I think “coming out” would show her that people would show nothing but love and support. God bless you!!

[FiveMCity]

If you have HIV, tell your partner before sleeping with them, it’s selfish not to. They’re a human being and deserve, at the very least make the decision to or not. That’s something you don’t forget to do.

[susiekim]

You have to tell your partner before sex. Your partner has the right to know. It doesn’t matter how you feel.

[Camposdarko]

People should go to jail for not telling their sexual partner they have hiv or any other std before having sex with them.

[Chinchilla]

I nursed HIV positive patients here in Australia during the 1980s and onwards. It was a scary time and it was a death sentence back then, thank goodness it isn't a death sentence these days. ❤xx

[RastaAfricanGentleman]

❤ My two female cousins also went through the same journey as you. Both born HIV+ and have been healthy ever since as one is married with a HIV- husband with a HIV- child, the other is successful in her chemical engineering job. Ages 26 and 30. People need more stories like this

[Famouzlastwrds]

It's not a death sentence. You are beautiful and still have a beautiful life ahead of you ❤

[Evan.]

had no idea hiv could be undetected and untransmittable, glad to know you're doing well and can thrive despite it!

[jankicheese]

You’re awesome, Diana. As a medical student I thought I knew a lot about HIV, but your story makes me realize I have so much to learn. I can't even imagine what it was like for you holding this in for so long! It's a privilege to hear your story. I'm so proud of you!!

[zombiegeekboy]

I actually worked on the HIV/AIDS hotline when it first came out. At that time magic Johnson first came out and told people it wasn’t a “gay” disease. There was so much fear then, and I’m really happy you are making this video. I lost a lot of friends to it, and it’s so wonderful that it’s not the same as it once was. I wish I could give you a hug.

[Jason-TheChad-Muska_circa]

One of my oldest friends is HIV positive and has been since we were teenagers. The progression of and the breakthrough treatments we have seen over the last 20 years is incredible and a literal lifesaver. There was a time period that we weren't sure he was going to make it. Thankfully he's healthy as a horse and loving life. I do want to elaborate on something you said. You said that those who aren't showing a viral load cannot transmit HIV. That is not completely true. First off I don't particularly like that statement because I think it's a dangerous outlook and I'll explain why. Those who are HIV positive and have that mindset could start having unprotected sex over and over and over again because they believe can't transmit it. Though it's incredibly rare, The fact of the matter is it can occasionally happen. It can be a complete anomaly or your body could potentially stop reacting to the medication and the way that it once did and slightly raising your viral load but could happen in between your checkup testing and of course would end up not being known to you and through that you can end up passing on HIV. Again highly unlikely and a near certainty that it won't but remember and near certainty isn't certainty. So I do still think that those who HAV positives should continue to practice safe sex and being honest with their partners about it.

I want to make clear that I don't judge you nor would I unless under one circumstance and I'll explain that later. If I met you and we had a true connection then this would not stop me from wanting to date you and get to know you. Nor would it stop me from being sexually active with you. But I am a willing participant at that point because you've been honest and made it clear to me. However everybody should have that same choice. You said that "people with HIV make mistakes and forget to tell people". That is absolutely and absurd statement that honestly makes me question whether or not you're a good unless I took that out of context and miss interpreted what you said in and if I did then I Truly apologize and I'll admit that I was wrong. Aside from being under the influence to the point where you are not aware of your surroundings and end up getting in the heat of the moment Then there is no excuse whatsoever for not telling your partner before interacting with them sexually. There's no way that a sober individual forgets that unless they just simply don't care about people. I was talking to this about my friend a few months back. Keep in mind he's had HIV for 20 years now and there hasn't been a single time in which telling somebody slipped his mind. Oh and if somebody claimed to forget while sober then I would lean towards them not being honest with you and instead just being selfish and not wanting to admit that they didn't want to feel embarrassed or didn't want to get into the conversation and was simply horny and hadn't had some in a while so decided not to say anything. Anybody who does that is a horrible person. Nobody should have that choice taken from them. Again for me it wouldn't make any difference. As long as you're a good person and you have no viral load and it's not going to stop me from interacting with you or looking at you any differently. But the truth of the matter is not everybody looks at it the way I do. You cannot lose sight of that. All that aside I think you are incredibly brave for making this video and I admire you for that as well as respect you and I hope that you have a wonderful life full of joy and love. God bless.

[angelacosta]

You are blessed Diana. Both my parents died from HIV. I could of had it but it turns out there’s no HIV in my system. I’ve had numerous blood tests and I’m HIV negative. But it is hard telling people how my parents died because they will think I have HIV.

[michagref]

In a civilized country, not informing sexual partners about having HIV is usually considered a criminal offense. Nonetheless, California is a state of mind.

[luckybolt]

Everything is positive about you, only point is its unethical to not disclose your status to your partner at any uncondition and to your primary caregiver at any stage, because any person coming knowingly or unknowingly in touch with any body fluid of yours have the right to know and take precautions as per their stands

[poopydonkey]

You aren't just HIV positive, you're positive about HIV!!!

[Being_Joe]

A cousin of mine died of AIDS back in the 90's. They got it from a blood transfusion after an accident. The medical advances these days. Bless you and good luck.

[vblake]

I like your name. Also, I’m a physician who cares for a number of HIV positive patients. Your credibility is UNDENIABLE, young Ms. So stop saying that. You don’t need to say that anymore. What you taught us is Spot on CORRECT.

[EmmanuelMotelin]

I wouldn’t risk it but, I respect you for coming out!